A Baxter man is being held without bond for prohibited weapons and explosives. On Monday (8/7/23), the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about a video online of a man stating, “Hey ATF, let me know if this legal. Uh, A pound of Tannerite, a pipe bomb, and a wine bottle full of diesel.” The man was identified as Levi Flatt. The Sheriff’s office contacted the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) who confirmed that Flatt was attempting to make a bomb and began surveilling him. Authorities stopped Flatt in a work van on Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville. The THP bomb squad responded and officials say a search of the van revealed 3 pipe bombs, 2 Molotov cocktails, a handgun with a tampered serial number, approximately 160 rounds of ammunition, a flak jacket, and a shield. The ATF also executed a search warrant at Flatt’s known residence on Hillrose Drive in Baxter, TN. Levi Flatt was arrested and charged with Prohibited Weapons – Explosives, and Alteration of item’s permanent distinguishing numbers. Flatt is being held without bond and has a court date of August 16, 2023.
